Page 17 - QARANC Vol 18 No 2 2020

Croix de Guerre Training Weekend
243 (Wessex) Field Hospital
243 Field Hospital held a Regimental Training weekend on 18 - 20 October 2019 to commemorate the actions leading to, and the award of the Croix De Guerre to our unit predecessors during the First World War. The Croix de Guerre is a French gallantry award established during the First World War to commemorate acts of valour. It is rare for this award to be bestowed upon British Army Units with only 12 such awards being made and only one to an AMS unit.
In World War 1, 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital originated as 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance and was stationed in Northern France. During
their retreat in October 1918, the Germans rounded up civilians using them as shields to prevent an allied attack. On reaching St. Amand-les- Eaux the Germans abandoned the several thousand civilian refugees in the town while the Germans retreated into the surrounding forest. On 22 October 1918, 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance entered the town and over the next two days and two nights whilst under constant artillery and gas barrage, triaged, and cleared the civilians from the town prior to treating and feeding the civilians from their own meagre rations. The civilians were evacuated from the area on the third night by the unit. In commemoration of their extraordinary devotion to duty, the unit was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Silver Gilt Star in 1919, as was the Commanding Officer for his personal contribution. After the war, the 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance was disbanded and reformed to become initially the Wessex Field Ambulance, then 211 and 219 Field Hospitals. In 1996, 211 and 219 Field Hospital joined to form 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital. 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital remains unique in being the only medical unit to have ever received the Croix De Guerre award and this is celebrated annually by 243 Field Hospital every October.
To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the presentation of the
The Gazette QARANC Association 15
award, in 2019 the unit undertook an inter-detachment competition held at Fort Blockhouse and Browndown Ranges. Each element of the competition simulated an aspect of the original situation in St. Amand-les-Eaux; drill, casualty triage, treatment, clearing, vehicle preparation for evacuation, protection of casualties under fire and food preparation for casualty feeding. The competitors thoroughly enjoyed the challenge it brought. The first section of the competition comprised of a drill sequence. Squads of nine individuals from each detachment were inspected and carried out a short drill sequence led by another member